Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Evaluating the Class of 2024: Lagway led the way
- Evaluating the Class of 2024 Transfers: Receivers earn an A
- Class of 2025 Recruiting Superlatives
- Grading the Gators: Class of 2025 Signees
- UF players to keep an eye on as Transfer Portal window opens
- 35-Game Report Card: Napier’s numbers are still lacking
Chad Gasper is a three-star running back from Fulshear, Texas. Gasper committed to Florida on May 10, and then officially signed with Florida on December 4, 2024.
Learn more about Chad Gasper on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“At first, they came out of nowhere, offered me, and then my family and I were excited. It was getting to that time where I wanted to commit and I was just talking with my parents and stuff and Florida, they just kept on keeping in contact with me talking to me showing interest and I felt like it was the right time for me to commit.”
What was the most appealing part of the University of Florida?
“The football facility was nice, when I first walked in it was super clean and everything was out for me and my parents. We were surprised.”
Florida won four in a row to close out the season. Did that momentum help solidify your decision, or did it matter?
“It didn’t really matter me it was the icing on the cake for me. It was just showing me that Florida is really just building something great and trying to get the program back to where it’s supposed to be.”
What is your impression on the Florida fanbase based on what you see on social media?
“It just showed me that the fan base is strong and when the team produces that the fan base sticks with each other. They stick with the team, and they just get a lot of confidence when we start winning games.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“It was Michigan and Tennessee those were the two that really stood out. They were always just talking about how they were going to use me in their offense as a running back. They were just showing a lot of love to my parents and my family.”
Is there any untold, funny, or interesting recruiting story that you can share about your recruiting process?
“There was one time where I was like just training with my dad and stuff and out of nowhere a coach called me and I had picked up in the middle of workout, so that’s kind of the most interesting thing that really helped me.”
Tell us about your injury, where you stand and what your recovery timeline looks like?
“At first, I tore both of my labrums on my shoulders, so I didn’t play the first half of my football season my senior year. After [both surgeries] were done I played. I played like two games and then like the last game before the playoffs, I tore my ACL in November. I got the surgery right away so right now I’m about like two weeks out so I’m I can basically do everything that I need to do to like start getting ready to get back to playing.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“My [favorite] memory really is when I was with my high school team, and we got to play and the Houston Texans stadium for the first time. I got the cherish that memory with my high school teammates my last time out there with them.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“My competitive nature, I’m very competitive in everything that I do, and I take pride in that. My physical ability whenever I’m 100% healthy there are not a lot of running backs in the entire country that can really keep up with me. I got a lot of IQ, I started playing football at quarterback and linebacker and then as time went on, I just gained IQ to want to play running back.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“I just I want to learn college football and how they move because I’ve been playing high school for the past four years, so I’m knew to college. I’m just trying to learn what they do how they do it and work on my game obviously to get better, faster, and stronger.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2025?
“I didn’t really talk to a lot of them that much because I’m from Texas, but I could say Waltez Clark that’s the one that I’ve talked to probably not a lot, but I talked to him.”
Use one word to describe Billy Napier. Use one word to describe your position coach.
“Billy Napier would be resilient and Coach [Jabbar] Juluke would be focused ready to go.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“I’m undecided right now but I’m leaning towards business. After football, I want to start my own business and do something in that type of landscape.”
What’s your favorite quality in a teammate?
“Always being trustworthy, I got to be able to trust you, if I can trust you in important situations, I got your back.”
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside? Or getting to know on the team?
“I’m looking forward to playing with Jadan [Baugh] and the whole running back room. DJ Lagway too. I’ve known him for a minute, so I’m just getting ready. I can’t wait till I get up there to talk with them. [DJ] and I did kind of cross paths [being from Texas] I used to see him at camps, and we talked for a little bit. When I saw him come into Florida the year before I was like okay, I’m going to watch. Then when [Florida] came to my school, and they offered me I was like that’s the school DJ went to let me give it a shot.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“I like the Cowboys.”
Who is your favorite professional football player right now? Why?
“Saquon Barkley, because he’s on the Eagles and I kind of shape my game around him with how I play.”
Is there a person, sports personality or not, that has had an influence on your life?
“My parents, especially my dad, he’s been navigating me through my whole recruiting process, and my whole life ever since I was super little.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“I would say make it to the NFL, get Florida a National Championship, and graduate college.”
What would be your first purchase if you were drafted by the NFL?
“I would say a house in my hometown.”
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
“I hope to see myself in the NFL, that’s my goal, that’s why I play.”
If you had a chance to spend the day with a celebrity, who would it be?
“I’m saying Kevin Hart, he just sounds, and I feel like he just looks like somebody that could be super fun to be around.”
What is one item that you cannot live without? Why?
“My phone because I’m always on it and need it in every situation.”
What are your favorite types of music? Do you have a favorite artist or song?
“My favorite is hip hop and R&B. My favorite artist is Drake, and I like his song Fancy.”
What is your favorite movie?
“I like the Avengers End Game.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“I like Stranger Things.”
If you could go on a dream date with anyone, who would it be?
“It would it be Beyoncé or Megan Fox.”
What is your favorite meal or favorite food to cook?
“Alfredo pasta is my favorite food.”
Walk us through some of your pregame rituals.
“I don’t really have any rituals. I just keep to myself and focus on what I need to get done.”
If you could spend an entire day with anyone in history, who would that be?
“My great grandfathers, getting to know my heritage and what they really used to do.”
Orange or Blue?
“Definitely Blue.”
Favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Probably the fruit punch and the yellow Lemon Lime.”
What is one thing about you that Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“I like to cook a little bit, but all I do is eat, play football, play video, and watch film.”
What’s your message to Gator Nation?
“I would say, I’m ready to help get Gator Nation back up and help them to get to the top of college rankings. I’m ready to come in and start working and get better and get the swamp back to where it was supposed to be to where it was.”
Leave a message for your future self.
“Don’t let other people’s perception of you dictate your future and get you off your path. Stay on your one path and don’t let nobody break it.”
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